Sabot - Good dinghy for middle-aged man and his dog?

[pkpdjh]

I already have a C14.2 for dinghy racing and going out with friends. But, what I really want is a simple boat to go out with Man's best friend on an small lake with light to medium winds.

- I don't care how fast it goes or how well it points
- I want something easy to launch
- I want something that won't sink when you add my 225-lb body
- I want my 40-lb dog to feel comfortable in it

She is fine on keelboats, but the C14.2 is a little shaky for her and it's hard to launch by myself while tending to a dog.

I have seen a couple of Sabots pop up on Craigslist and it looks perfect. I like the idea of the rowboat hybrid because I can use it on no-wind days. (I'm in Arizona.) The bathtub style is also good for my dog and the small hull lets me keep her nearby.

Is the Sabot a good choice for me?
Will the models with leeboard be too much hassle?

 

[dlochner]

For room, stability, and ease of sailing in a dinghy, I'm fond of a Flying Scot. Much more comfortable than a Sabot which is really a sail training boat for little kids, much like an Opti. Lots of used ones around, not sure about
availability in AZ.

Flying Scot Sailing Association
FLYING SCOT SAILBOATS - The Best Daysailer in the World

 

[pkpdjh]

For room, stability, and ease of sailing in a dinghy, I'm fond of a Flying Scot. Much more comfortable than a Sabot which is really a sail training boat for little kids, much like an Opti.

Yeah, those Scots look really cool, but probably more boat than I want for this particular application. My dog is not ready to help fly a kite yet. I already have the Capri 14.2 for "real" sailing. (We have a big racing fleet here.) I was thinking I could keep my Sabot in my C14.2 parking spot at the lake and roll it out when I bring the dog.

 

[Rick486]

Why not consider a small outboard? Better for tooling around with the dog.

 

[dlochner]

My dog is not ready to help fly a kite yet.
.

Time for that pup to learn to fly it!

The Scot has a huge main and tiny jib and spinnaker. It is easily sailed on main alone, but will point better with the jib.

 

[BudGates]

I saw a guy with a sabot when I was at Channel Islands Harbor last May. Although it was gusty and a bit challenging I sailed my Montgomery 10 around the harbor and managed to stay dry the whole time. Thy guy with the sabot, on the other hand, spent most of the time in the water. I'm assuming the difference was due to skill level but it could have been the boat.

I would hope that your dog is better at sitting still than mine. I've never sailed the dinghy with him but when I'm rowing he'll go from one side to the other making it hard to row in a straight line.

 

[SailormanDan]

Flying Scots in our area go for almost as much as my H27 would, I think you would better off spending the time and training in getting your dog comfortable with any boat first, before you put them in a small dinghy. It's not the boat that's the problem, it's their trust & comfort level. Forgive me if I sound like I'm on a soapbox, but after all the potential we saw in the last rescue we owned if only he'd been well socialized, it's made me seriously consider becoming a certified dog trainer.

 

[pkpdjh]

Flying Scots in our area go for almost as much as my H27 would, I think you would better off spending the time and training in getting your dog comfortable with any boat first, before you put them in a small dinghy. It's not the boat that's the problem, it's their trust & comfort level. Forgive me if I sound like I'm on a soapbox, but after all the potential we saw in the last rescue we owned if only he'd been well socialized, it's made me seriously consider becoming a certified dog trainer.

Great thoughts, dkeagle. I agree about wanting to become a trainer. We have been through a ton of training with our dog with amazing results. It used to be impossible to have guests over when she was home. So, we rarely did. After a year of hard work, we have worked through that with 2 structured walks a day and other discipline. A couple days ago I had a crowd of people in the backyard at night with her there and no issues. We even had my brother-in-law stay with us for a week and she sometimes slept at his feet.

She's totally fine on bigger boats. She's been on a Catalina 22 and Catalina 250 on San Diego Bay with no problem. (She's the white one on the left in the picture.) She also goes stand-up paddleboarding with me occasionally.

So, really the problem is me. I just want something easier to launch than my Capri 14.2 that is comfortable for her. I could store the Sabot at the lake and just roll it to the ramp by hand, probably with her in it on a leash. One sail is preferable to two also. Minimizing rigging time is key, particularly due to Phoenix weather.

 

[Joe]

It's all about your flexibility. Sabots are 8 ft... you must sit on floor with your legs hanging over one side... so you can't move across the boat when you tack. See if you can find something around 10 feet...

 

[SailormanDan]

Sounds like you're on the right track with getting your dog comfortable with the process and that simplifying it might help. Joe has a good point about being cramped in a small boat. Sounds like you're at the point of trying it out without spending a lot of money on it. She'll probably just sit in your lap the whole time in a boat that small. Good luck!
Dan

 

[pkpdjh]

It's all about your flexibility. Sabots are 8 ft... you must sit on floor with your legs hanging over one side... so you can't move across the boat when you tack. See if you can find something around 10 feet...

Thanks, Joe. This is a really good point. I have an issue in my hip and a test drive of any boat this small could be critical.

 

[CloudDiver]

My Chocolate Lab is a better sailor than I am... he single paws a Force 5. I have no idea where he got the money for that boat, I'm worried that he's dealing drugs on the side...

 

[JohnShannon]

If the C14.2 is too shaky then you want something more stable than that a sabot is really small isn't it?
I don't think it exists. Simpler and more stable than a C14.2 maybe a Tardis 8

 

[jssailem]

The Port Townsend WA folks have a number of small wooden boats that may be interesting. Here is a 12 footer offered. " 12’ Pelican Sailboat For Sale in Port Townsend - http://www.pocketyachters.com/Port_Townsend_Pocket_Yachters/Boats_For_Sale.html "